Soon, we'll have Indonesia National Kendo Tournament 2013. Before you take a part in the
tournament as a senshu (player) I'd like to share my humble opinion what
a shiai means to me.

The desire to win in shiai oftentimes makes you forget about the kendo
form as you are tensed and nervous as well as fulfilled with anxiety to
win. It does break your kendo form! I hate such a kendo like that!

However, it doesn't mean that I don't like shiai at all. Shiai indeed
gives you experience as it brings you different pressure and many
different kendo styles, and in the shiai you will meet a lot of people
you never meet before. You can learn a lot of things from shiai!

3rd Dan

Indonesia Kenshi

Sunday, May 12, 2013

I'd
tell you that if you have the chance to participate in kendo grading,
just go! If you have willingness to know how your kendo improving, no
justification for not doing it!

I'd say it is important!! Indeed we
don't practice kendo for the grade, but grading is one of the most
important part of kendo. It is the moment, time, or an event to know
your kendo progress. I know that we sometimes questioning ourselves
about kendo self pogress. In the kendo grading there will be a lot of
high ranking senseis (7th dan and even 8th dan) who will give the answer
for you!

When they decide
that you deserve a higher level of kendo grade, not only it means that
your kendo has been improved, but also it means that you will be able to
improve your kendo more in the new level you achieve.

When
you're shodan, you do shodan kendo, when you're nidan you do nidan
kendo, but if you keep in your level, it'll be more difficult to do the
next level kendo! Why? Because kendo is not only physical activity but
also mental activity. when the board of examiners grant you a new level
you will also be psychologically improved and in the same time you will
automatically feel that you have bigger responsibility to improve your
kendo more and more and be a good example for your kohai. It's like a
powerful intrinsic motivation. However when you don't wanna take your
kendo grading, you won't have this kind of feeling, so you don't have
such an internal encouragement and responsibility to improve your kendo.

So, seize the chance to know your progress!

I
practice kendo not for nothing, so I want a gradual progress. i've been
witnessing my kendo progress mentally and physically. I'm 26 now and
I'll be in 5th Dan kendo before 35! You?